Project 365 - Day 181. Our Summer Ritual | Delafield Children's Photography

I definitely do NOT have a green thumb.  I've mentioned this before but just in case you've forgotten...it's true.  There are no live plants in my house.  Hence my immense pride in my veggies.  Last year I attempted hanging flowers and....well....it didn't end well.  

This year I tried again.  Really...it's just two plants and they look so nice!  How hard could it be!?   I'm taking this commitment VERY seriously because there is no doubt in my mind that if I kill these off before school is back in session that I will definitely be cut off from purchasing any annuals ever again!

So each day I take my little helpers (Clare and Emma) and we the girls have some nice watering time while I deadhead my plants.  I'm proud to say that after about 4 weeks, they are going strong!!!!   YEY!   And the girls and I have some nice times with it too so that makes it all worth it!

Project 365 - Day 180. Dinner Done & Dusted | Delafield Children's Photography

Yes....this is EXACTLY why bath time follows dinnertime.

Project 365 - Day 179. Whatever Makes You Happy | Delafield Children's Photography

Today was ALL about Photoshop!  I made my first boudoir album and WOW if it doesn't look great!  I don't toot my own horn often but I must admit that I'm very proud of this and SOOOO wish I could share it with everyone!  Unfortunately, you're just going to have to trust me.   

I just finished getting it uploaded to the online gallery for my client to see and then was about to go into my late night photo-panic when I realized...HEY...I took THREE pictures today on my iPhone.   So, yippee!  I don't have to panic after all.

Here's my little wonder-girl who (at 20 months) can now count to 10!  NO IDEA who taught her that but I'm very proud.  Anyway...she has a ton of personality and really loves a lot of things.  One of them is umbrella's.  I can't explain it but she's a Huge fan.  

So, here she is hanging out in the car with her Thomas Umbrella.   

Just another day with the Johnsen's.

Project 365 - Day 178. To Each Her Own - A Sneak Peek | Delafield Children's Photography

You may remember this family...they've been blogged before here.

Today we were after an outdoor family shoot.  I think they are a GREAT example of What To Wear to a family portrait session!   Mom wanted to keep it casual (which I love) and went for personality.  The older daughter is all about horses and the younger daughter chose her favorite dress.  Mom and Dad wore stuff that matched but are also something you would catch them wearing on a Sunday afternoon.   I think they look fantastic!

Thanks, Kathi!  Lots more great ones to come....

Project 365 - Day 177. Caught In The Act | Delafield Children's Photography

Maybe it's the shifty eyes.   Maybe it's the fact that he has twice as many chips on the board as his opponent.   Maybe it's the extra cards he's hoarding next to him.  

Not sure what it is, but something tells me this boy is cheating.....

Project 365 - Day 176. Branching Out to Boudoir - A Sneak Peek | Wisconsin Boudoir Photography

I've considered doing boudoir sessions before so when I was asked recently to do one, I was so excited!   I spent loads of time researching and learning over the past weeks to prepare and felt pretty confident going into it and even better coming out of it!  The Brave Lady and I had a lot of fun together and I can't wait to get to work on the The Little Black Book we're creating to give her hubby for his 50th birthday!  

Don't be surprised it you see some Boudoir offerings coming soon!!!   This may seem a little out of whack with children's and family photography but in my mind, it's actually totally consistent.  I don't want to do these for 20 year old models.  I want to make the average Mom out there (like you and me) feel gorgeous and sexy!   So, for me, this is just another way I can be your "family photographer!"   Think about it......and let me know if you'd like more details!

I can't decide if I like the color or b&w better on this one!   Wish I could share more but, for obvious reasons, I'm going to keep these one "under covers".  :-)

Project 365 - Day 175. Craft Time | Delafield Children's Photography

It's not every day that bedtime goes smoothly.  And with my husband away for 9 days and my mom busy working a crazy week, this is the part of the day I dread the most.  Today, Clare and Emma were quite tired so they went down a bit earlier than Corey and Lilly and I was really pleasantly surprised to see that the activities they chose to do were a wood bead craft and then a game of Sequence.  They (usually) have a great relationship and I love to witness these spontaneous moments of niceness.

Project 365 - Day 174. Lovely Lacy - A Sneak Peek | Delafield Children's Photography

Meet baby Lacy.  You met the rest of her family several weeks ago here.

I had plans to meet Lacy several weeks ago but...life happens...and so here we are.  We had a short but sweet session this morning and she was just adorable.  We even managed to get a smile in amidst the noise of three other kids and the World Cup!   Not ideal conditions but certainly adorable photos!

Enjoy your sneak peek, Kara!

Project 365 - Day 173. Homemade Textures | Delafield Children's Photography

So, when I started my hunt today (ok...tonight) for a photo....I had an idea!  I have pretty wild granite countertops.  They came with the house and wouldn't be my first choice but I don't hate them enough to change them either.  And today I found they have an additional purpose.....texture!

What's a texture?   A texture is an overlay on a photo that gives it a different look....generally an edgy, urban look.  Here....let me show you:

Here is a before picture I took last week:

And here is my photo of the day, my countertops:

And here's the textured outcome.   What do you think?

Kinda fun...I like this look for teens.  Fun to play with anyway!

Project 365 - Day 172. iFamily | Delafield Children's Photography

We bought our Mac last fall and we've quickly become an avid and devoted iFamily.  We now have an iPod, an iTouch, an iPhone and, as of this past weekend, iTV.  Lilly loves to listen to music and do learning apps on her iTouch and even Clare (age 3) can navigate all around, play games, listen to music, watch videos...   Heck, even Emma says "iPot."  

Have you seen those Apple bumper stickers on cars these days?  Well, we don't have one (yet) but every time we see them, Rob and I have a good chuckle imagining a car driving around with a Microsoft symbol on it.  Nah....don't think we'll be seeing that one.

What is a Storyboard? | Delafield Children's Photographer

I was also asked today:  What is a Storyboard?

A Storyboard is a collection of images put on one print that is mounted.  It can then be framed as one piece.  

Here are a couple of samples but there are a ton of design possibilities....you select the full size that you want, the images you want to include, background color, text (which is optional), etc.  They're completely custom designed for you!

Project 365 - Day 171. What Is A Standout? | Delafield Children's Photography

I got asked today...What is a standout?

So here are my photos for today....samples of a standout.  A standout is similar to a canvas in that it is a stand alone print that can be hung directly on your wall.  It is a print that's been mounted on a thick foam board and finished with a black edging.   They are an attractive alternative to a canvas particularly because they are much cheaper.   You can also get these with a linen finish which gives a texture similar to the look of canvas.

Here is a standout I have on my wall of Lilly:

Project 365 - Day 170. WOWZA Maternity Sneak Peek | Oconomowoc Maternity Photographer

Ok, so....WOW!  

For those that are Facebook followers, you may recall that I put a request out for a brave mama-to-be to have birth photos taken.  The deal is that this lucky, open-minded mom would get a maternity session, birth session AND a newborn session as a Thank You for letting me be there to photograph the baby's birth.

Well, stay tuned for more of this family since they are expecting their TWINS in late August / early September and yes....I'll be there!!  

Today was actually the first time we'd met face-to-face and we did so at the most beautiful property!  It was SO hard to pick just a handful of favorites to share because there were so many but here they are.   LOADS more to come Neelye.  Thanks so much to you all for trusting in me.  We're going to have a great time!

PS  I'm still looking for one more birth model so if you or someone you know is expecting later this year and potentially interested, contact me for more info!  Thanks!

 

Project 365 - Day 169. Fun In The Sun Sneak Peek | Okauchee Children's Photographer

Beautiful location.  Beautiful kids.   Beautiful day (for everything except photography).

In the end, beautiful pictures!   Thanks, Mary Ann!  

Project 365 - Day 168. | Delafield Children's Photographer

I don't do designer.  I've never paid more than $40 for a purse.  I buy what I like, not what I think others will be impressed by.

But that's for my wallet and keys.  

My beloved Nikon D700 and "the beast" deserve something better.  They deserve to be well protected while still looking gorgeous.  Hence, my Kelly Moore bag (compliments of Mom for my birthday).  It took months to arrive but after only having it a week, I'm already loving it.

I'm loaded up for my shoot tomorrow (and praying for nice, grey skies the next TWO mornings, please).  Look, even The Beast lens fits in nicely.  :-)

Project 365 - Day 167. Moms Night Out | Delafield Children's Photographer

Tonight was a rare treat...a night out with a fantastic group of women.  We had a few drinks, a delicious meal, and a ton of laughs!  No pretenses, no judgements, no children...just 5 real women having a great time together.   THANK YOU, gals....I needed that!

Oh yeah, and a big thank you to our volunteer chauffeur...hope we didn't scare you away!  :-)

Sneak Peek in a new fav location! | Delafield Children's Photography

I just got home from a mini-session and I think I  have a new favorite location!  So many different looks all in one little space.  Perfect!    Even better that I had such a cute model to work with, too!   Here's just a couple of my favorites!

Thanks for sticking with me tonight Lauren and Julie....glad we made the right choice and the weather ultimately cooperated!   Here is your big sneak peek.   I must admit...I've already edited the entire gallery!  I just couldn't resist and with the fun location, beautiful girl, and perfect light....well, it was frankly the easiest editing job I've ever had.   Fun, fun.